Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Humane Society for Seattle-King Co

EIN 91-0282060 · Bellevue, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEATTLE HUMANE PROMOTES THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND BY SAVING AND SERVING PETS IN NEED, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ABILITY, CIRCUMSTANCE OR GEOGRAPHY.

Income
$16.3 million
Spending
$14.7 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
161
Volunteers
1,657
Highest pay
$217,969, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $4.9 million spent. THE LARGEST PROGRAM IS OUR SHELTER CARE AND ADOPTION SERVICES. SEATTLE HUMANE IS A MANAGED-INTAKE SHELTER THAT CARES FOR PETS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH TREATABLE MEDICAL AND/OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, AND THERE ARE NO LIMITS FOR SPACE OR TIME. ADOPTABLE COMPANION ANIMALS ARE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC FOR A FEE. SHELTER CARE INCLUDES INTAKE, TRANSFERS, ADOPTIONS, BEHAVIOR SUPPORT AND FOSTER PROGRAM. IN 2024, THE LIFESAVER RESCUE TRANSFER PROGRAM ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN 71% OF SEATTLE HUMANE'S ANIMAL POPULATION FROM 90+ HIGH-NEED SHELTERS IN WASHINGTON AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE REMAINING 29% OF ANIMALS CAME TO THE SHELTER THROUGH LOCAL SURRENDERS. FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2025, THE SAVE RATE WAS 98%.
  2. $4.0 million spent. VETERINARY CARE INCLUDES ALL SHELTER MEDICAL SERVICES AS WELL AS VETERINARY SERVICES PROVIDED TO LOW-INCOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND PUBLIC SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS. SEATTLE HUMANE'S VETERINARY SERVICES TEAM PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES THROUGH THE SCHULER FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER TO EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES THROUGH THE SHELTER. INTAKE EXAMS, VACCINATIONS, SURGERY, DENTAL EXTRACTIONS, AND OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURES ARE PROVIDED AS PART OF OUR ROUTINE CARE. SPAY OR NEUTER SURGERY WAS PERFORMED ON EVERY INTACT DOG OR CAT PRIOR TO ADOPTION. (CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O)IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING CARE FOR SHELTER PETS, SEATTLE HUMANE ALSO PROVIDED LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES, AS WELL AS VACCINATIONS AND WELLNESS SERVICES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY MEDICINE PROGRAM FOR INCOME-QUALIFIED PET OWNERS TO HELP KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES. SEATTLE HUMANE IS A TEACHING FACILITY FOR FOURTH-YEAR VETERINARY STUDENTS FROM WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY'S (WSU) COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. A TOTAL OF 84 STUDENTS ROTATED THROUGH THE PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2025.
  3. $1.7 million spent. FROM APRIL 2024 THROUGH MARCH 2025, COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFERED THROUGH SEATTLE HUMANE'S PET RESOURCE CENTER INCLUDED A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AIMED AT HELPING PEOPLE CARE FOR THEIR PETS AND REDUCING PET SURRENDER BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES FOR PET OWNERS. THE PET FOOD BANK COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 58,000 MEALS EACH MONTH TO PETS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE SAW THAT NEED CONTINUE TO GROW DURING THE YEAR. SEATTLE HUMANE DISTRIBUTED RESOURCES TO PARTNER SHELTERS, FOOD BANKS, SENIOR CENTERS, AND DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND PET OWNERS IN NEED THROUGHOUT KING COUNTY. STAFF IN THE PET RESOURCE CENTER WORKED WITH FAMILIES TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER RESOURCES THROUGH THE PET OWNER ASSISTANCE FUND, POLLY'S POCKET FUND, THE SPOT (TEMPORARY FOSTER) PROGRAM, AND PETS FOR LIFE PROGRAM. (CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O) IN ADDITION, SEATTLE HUMANE OFFERED YOUTH EDUCATION THROUGH VARIOUS YOUTH PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE HUMANE TEEN CLUB AND ADVENTURE CAMP FOR KIDS IN THE SUMMER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.